Activated liquid bleaching compositions

ABSTRACT

An aqueous composition comprising hydrogen peroxide or a source thereof, and a stabilizing amount of an alcohol according to the formula HO--CR&#39;R&#34;--OH, wherein R&#39; and R&#34; are independently H or a C2-C10 hydrocarbon chain and/or cycle, or mixtures thereof.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to liquid bleaching compositions based onperoxygen bleaches, which are particularly useful in the bleaching oftextiles.

BACKGROUND

Bleaching and cleaning compositions have been extensively described inthe art. It is also well known that it can be desirable to use peroxygenbleaches rather than chlorine bleaches for a variety of reasons. Inparticular, peroxygen bleaches are generally considered to be milder tofabrics than chlorine bleaches. However peroxygen bleaches have thedrawback that they are generally less effective at lower temperatures.In response to this drawback, peroxygen bleaching compositions have beendescribed which further comprise a bleach activator. A bleach activatorreacts with a perhydroxyl ion to yield a peracid which is the"activated" bleaching specie.

But activated bleaching compositions have the drawback that theactivator and the bleach tend to react in the composition in which theyare formulated. Such compositions therefore tend to be chemicallyunstable.

A solution to this problem has been described in EP 598 170, where ahydrophobic bleach activator was formulated in a composition with a 35hydrophilic bleach. The compositions in '170 were formulated as anemulsion comprising a hydrophilic phase and a hydrophobic phase. Thehydrophilic phase comprised a hydrophilic nonionic surfactant and thebleach, while the hydrophobic phase comprised a hydrophobic nonionicsurfactant and the hydrophobic liquid bleach activator.

These compositions are very satisfactory in terms of stability, howeverthey impose severe restrictions in terms of flexibility in formulation.For instance, it is difficult to incorporate significant amounts ofanionic surfactants in these compositions, while it may be desirable tohave some of them to perform better on whiteness and stain removal, inparticular on particulate and enzymatic stains, particularly clay andblood. Also, the presence of a hydrophobic nonionic surfactant may be adrawback in certain conditions. For instance, at low temperature, highdilution, and in short wash cycles, hydrophobic nonionic surfactantsprovide limited contribution to the overall stain removal.

Thus it is an object of the present invention to formulate an activatedbleaching composition which obviates the above issues.

It has now been found that such a composition can be formulated as amicroemulsion of said hydrophobic liquid bleach activator in a matrixcomprising water, and a hydrophilic surfactant system comprising ananionic and a nonionic surfactant.

In EP 598 170, the compositions are specifically mentioned to beemulsions only. Also, the presence of anionics is not recommended in'170. In EP 92 932, an activated bleaching composition is describedwhich is in the form of an emulsion, and which requires an emulsifierfor said bleach activator. In WO 93900847, activated liquid bleachingcomposition are described which comprise a hydrophobic liquid bleachactivator, acetyl triethyl citrate (ATC). Liquid compositions comprisingATC are generally described in '847, which are not in the form ofmicroemulsions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The compositions according to the present invention are liquid bleachingcompositions comprising hydrogen peroxide or a source thereof and aliquid hydrophobic bleach activator. The compositions of the presentinvention are formulated as a microemulsion of said hydrophobic liquidbleach activator in a matrix comprising water, said hydrogen peroxide orsource thereof, and a hydrophilic surfactant system comprising ananionic and a nonionic surfactant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The compositions of the present invention are liquid aqueous bleachingcompositions. Thus, they comprise water and a bleach.

Suitable bleaches for use herein include hydrogen peroxide orwater-soluble sources thereof. Indeed, in order to ensure that thebleach and the bleach activator do not react prematurely, it isessential that the bleach herein be partitioned from the bleachactivator. Accordingly, the bleach should be water-soluble. Apart fromhydrogen peroxide, suitable water-soluble sources thereof includeperborate, percarbonate, perbenzoic and alkylperbenzoic acids,persilicate and persulfate salts and the like. Most convenient for useherein is hydrogen peroxide. The compositions of the present inventionshould comprise from 0.5% to 20% by weight of the total composition,preferably from 2% to 15%, most preferably from 3% to 10% of hydrogenperoxide or said source thereof.

A second essential element of the compositions herein is a liquidhydrophobic bleach activator. By bleach activator, it is meant herein acompound which reacts with hydrogen peroxide to form a peracid. Theperacid thus formed constitutes the activated bleach. For the purpose ofthe present invention, it is essential that the bleach activator behydrophobic in order to ensure that it is partitioned from thehydrophilic bleach, thus avoiding premature reaction between bothcompounds. Accordingly, by hydrophobic bleach activator, it is meantherein an activator which is not substantially and stably miscible withwater. Typically, such hydrophobic bleach activators have an HLB ofbelow 11. Such suitable liquid hydrophobic bleach activators typicallybelong to the class of esters, amides, imides, or anhydrides. Aparticular family of bleach activators of interest was disclosed in EP624 154, and particularly preferred in that family is acetyl triethylcitrate (ATC). ATC has the other advantages that it is environmentallyfriendly in that it eventually degrades into citric acid and alcohol.Also, ATC has good hydrolytical stability in the compositions herein,and it is an efficient bleach activator. Finally, it provides goodbuilding capacity to the compositions. It is also possible to usemixtures of liquid hydrophobic bleach activators herein. Thecompositions herein should comprise from 0.5% to 20% by weight of thetotal composition of said bleach activator, preferably from 1% to 10%,most preferably from 2% to 7%.

As a third essential element, the compositions herein comprise ahydrophilic surfactant system comprising an anionic surfactant and anonionic surfactant. A key factor in order to stably incorporate thehydrophobic activator is that at least one of said surfactants must havea significantly different HLB value to that of the hydrophobicactivator. Indeed, if all said surfactants had the same HLB value asthat of the hydrophobic activator, a continuous single phase might beformed thus lowering the chemical stability of the bleach/bleachactivator system. Preferably, at least one of said surfactants has anHLB value which differs by at least 1.0 HLB unit, preferably 2.0 to thatof said bleach activator.

Suitable anionic surfactants herein include water soluble salts or acidsof the formula ROSO₃ M wherein R preferably is a C₁₀ -C₂₄ hydrocarbyl,preferably an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl having a C₁₀ -C₂₀ alkyl component,more preferably a C₁₂ -C₁₈ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, and M is H or acation, e.g., an alkali metal cation (e.g., sodium, potassium, lithium),or ammonium or substituted ammonium (e.g., methyl-, dimethyl-, andtrimethyl ammonium cations and quaternary ammonium cations, such astetramethyl-ammonium and dimethyl piperdinium cations and quarternaryammonium cations derived from alkylamines such as ethylamine,diethylamine, triethylamine, and mixtures thereof, and the like).Typically, alkyl chains of C₁₂ -C₁₆ are preferred for lower washtemperatures (e.g., below about 50° C.) and C₁₆ -₁₈ alkyl chains arepreferred for higher wash temperatures (e.g., above about 50° C.).

Other suitable anionic surfactants for use herein are water solublesalts or acids of the formula RO(A)_(m) SO₃ M wherein R is anunsubstituted C₁₀ -C₂₄ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group having a C₁₀ -C₂₄alkyl component, preferably a C₁₂ -C₂₀ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, morepreferably C₁₂ -C₁₈ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, A is an ethoxy or propoxyunit, m is greater than zero, typically between about 0.5 and about 6,more preferably between about 0.5 and about 3, and M is H or a cationwhich can be, for example, a metal cation (e.g., sodium, potassium,lithium, calcium, magnesium, etc.), ammonium or substituted-ammoniumcation. Alkyl ethoxylated sulfates as well as alkyl propoxylatedsulfates are contemplated herein. Specific examples of substitutedammonium cations include methyl-, dimethyl-, trimethylammonium andquaternary ammonium cations, such as tetramethylammonium, dimethylpiperdinium and cations derived from alkanolamines such as ethylamine,diethylamine, triethylamine, mixtures thereof, and the like. Exemplarysurfactants are C₁₂ -C₁₈ alkyl polyethoxylate (1.0) sulfate, C₁₂ -C₁₈E(1.0)M), C₁₂ -C₁₈ alkyl polyethoxylate (2.25) sulfate, C₁₂ -C₁₈E(2.25)M), C₁₂ -C₁₈ alkyl polyethoxylate (3.0) sulfate C₁₂ -C₁₈ E(3.0),and C₁₂ -C₁₈ alkyl polyethoxylate (4.0) sulfate C₁₂ -C₁₈ E(4.0)M),wherein M is conveniently selected from sodium and potassium.

Other anionic surfactants useful for detersive purposes can also be usedherein. These can include salts (including, for example, sodium,potassium, ammonium, and substituted ammonium salts such as mono-, di-and triethanolamine salts) of soap, C₉ -C₂₀ linearalkylbenzenesulfonates, C₈ -C₂₂ primary or secondary alkanesulfonates,C₈ -C₂₄ olefinsulfonates, sulfonated polycarboxylic acids prepared bysulfonation of the pyrolyzed product of alkaline earth metal citrates,e.g., as described in British patent specification No. 1,082,179, C₈-C₂₄ alkylpolyglycolethersulfates (containing up to 10 moles of ethyleneoxide); alkyl ester sulfonates such as C₁₄ -₁₆ methyl ester sulfonates;acyl glycerol sulfonates, fatty oleyl glycerol sulfates, alkyl phenolethylene oxide ether sulfates, paraffin sulfonates, alkyl phosphates,isethionates such as the acyl isethionates, N-acyl taurates, alkylsuccinamates and sulfosuccinates, monoesters of sulfosuccinate(especially saturated and unsaturated C₁₂ -C₁₈ monoesters) diesters ofsulfosuccinate (especially saturated and unsaturated C₆ -C₁₄ diesters),acyl sarcosinates, sulfates of alkylpolysaccharides such as the sulfatesof alkylpolyglucoside (the nonionic nonsulfated compounds beingdescribed below), branched primary alkyl sulfates, alkyl polyethoxycarboxylates such as those of the formula RO(CH₂ CH₂ O)_(k) CH₂ COO-M⁺wherein R is a C₈ -C₂₂ alkyl, k is an integer from 0 to 10, and M is asoluble salt-forming cation. Resin acids and hydrogenated resin acidsare also suitable, such as rosin, hydrogenated rosin, and resin acidsand hydrogenated resin acids present in or derived from tall oil.Further examples are given in "Surface Active Agents and Detergents"(Vol. I and II by Schwartz, Perry and Berch). A variety of suchsurfactants are also generally disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,929,678,issued Dec. 30, 1975 to Laughlin, et al. at Column 23, line 58 throughColumn 29, line 23 (herein incorporated by reference).

Preferred surfactants for use in the compositions herein are the alkylbenzene sulfonates, alkyl sulfates, alkyl alkoxylated sulfates, andmixtures thereof. As mentioned hereinbefore, anionic surfactants provideimproved cleaning performance. In addition, anionic surfactants herein,even at low levels, have shown to improve the physical stability of thecompositions of the present invention, even at higher temperatures (upto 50° C.).

Suitable nonionic surfactants for use herein include alkoxylated fattyalcohols. Indeed, a great variety of such alkoxylated fatty alcohols arecommercially available which have very different HLB values. The HLBvalues of such alkoxylated nonionic surfactants depend essentially onthe chain length of the fatty alcohol, the nature of the alkoxylationand the degree of alkoxylation. Hydrophilic nonionic surfactants tend tohave a high degree of alkoxylation and a short chain fatty alcohol,while hydrophobic surfactants tend to have a low degree of alkoxylationand a long chain fatty alcohol. Surfactants catalogues are availablewhich list a number of surfactants including nonionics, together withtheir respective HLB values.

The preferred making of the compositions includes premixing thesurfactants with water and subsequently adding the other ingredientsincluding hydrogen peroxide. Eventually the hydrophobic bleach activatoris incorporated. Irrespective of this preferred order of addition, it isimportant that during the mixing of the ingredients, the composition beconstantly kept 30 under stirring under relatively high stirringenergies, preferably 30 minutes at 750 rpm, most preferably 30 minutesat 1000 rpm.

The compositions of the present invention can further be characterizedby the fact that they are macroscopically transparent in the absence ofopacifiers and dyes, and the compositions can further be characterizedby microscopical examination and centrifugation. In centrifugation, itwas observed that the compositions herein showed no phase separationafter 15 minutes at 6000 RPM. Under the microscope, the compositionsappeared as a dispersion of droplets in a matrix. The matrix is thehydrophilic matrix described hereinbefore, and the droplets areconstituted by the liquid hydrophobic bleach activator. We have observedthat the particles had a size which is typically around or below 3micron diameter. It is believed that the compositions herein aremicroemulsions.

As an optional but preferred feature, the compositions herein should beformulated in the acidic pH range, preferably between 2 and 6; morepreferably between 3 and 5.

As a further optional but preferred feature, the compositions herein cancomprise an amine oxide surfactant according to the formula R1R2R3NO,wherein each of R1, R2 and R3 is independently a C₆ -C₃₀, preferably aC₁₀ -C₃₀, most preferably a C₁₂ -C₁₆ hydrocarbon chain. Indeed, we haveobserved that improved chemical stability, i.e., lower decomposition ofthe bleach and the bleach activator is obtained by adding such an amineoxide. It is believed that such stability is due to the capacity of theamine-oxide to limit interactions between the bleach and the bleachactivator, possibly through emulsification. It is believed that thisstabilizing effect is matrix independent. Thus, in another aspect, thepresent invention is a liquid aqueous composition comprising hydrogenperoxide or a source thereof, a bleach activator and an amine oxide.

The compositions herein are particularly useful as laundry pretreaters,i.e. in a process where said composition is applied in neat form ontosoiled portions of fabrics before said fabrics are washed in a separate,typical laundry operation. Preferably, said composition in neat form isleft to act on said portions for a period of time before the fabrics arewashed in said laundry operation. Preferably, said composition in neatform is not left to dry onto said portions. Preferably, said period oftime is in between 1 minute to 24 hours, more preferably 1 minute to 1hour, most preferably 1 minute to 30 minutes. Optionally, when saidfabrics are soiled with encrustrated stains and soils, said pretreatmentprocess may additionally involve rubbing and scrubbing. It has beenobserved that in such a pretreatment process, the presence of said amineoxide further improves the cleaning performance on particulate andgreasy stains. It is believed that this improvement in cleaningperformance is matrix independent. Thus another aspect of the presentinvention is a process of pretreating fabrics, where the fabrics arepretreated with a composition comprising an amine oxide as hereinbeforedefined.

To obtain either of these benefits, amine oxides herein should bepresent in amounts ranging from 0.1% to 10 % by weight of the totalcomposition, preferably from 1.5% to 3%.

As a further optional but preferred feature, the compositions herein cancomprise from 0.5% to 5%, preferably from 2% to 4% by weight of thetotal composition of an alcohol according to the formula HO--CR'R"--OH,wherein R' and R" are independently H or a C₂ -C₁₀ hydrocarbon chainand/or cycle. Preferred alcohol according to that formula ispropanediol. Indeed, we have observed that these alcohols in general andpropanediol in particular also improve the chemical stability of thecompositions, i.e. lower the decomposition of the bleach and the bleachactivator, as the amine oxides herein above. In addition, said alcoholslower the surface tension of the product, thus preventing superficialfilm or gel formation. Thus said alcohols improve the aesthetics of thecompositions herein. It is believed that the chemical stabilizing effectof said alcohols is twofold. Firstly they may work as radical scavengersand secondly they may interact with the hydrogen peroxide preventing orlimiting hydrolysis, therefore reducing the rate of peroxidedecomposition. It is believed that this improvement in chemicalstability obtained by said alcohols is matrix independent. Thus anotheraspect of the present invention is an aqueous composition comprisinghydrogen peroxide or a source thereof, and a stabilizing amount of asaid alcohol or mixtures thereof.

As a further optional feature, the compositions herein can comprisealcohol according to the following formula: ##STR1## wherein n is aninteger between 0 and 10, wherein R, R', R", R'" and R^(iv) may be H orC1-C10 linear or branched alkyl chains, or C1-C10 linear or branchedalkenyl or alkinyl chains. Preferred alcohol according to that formulais benzyl alcohol. Indeed, we have observed that such compounds areparticularly advantageous when it is desired to fomulate the presentmicoremulsions at low viscosity, i.e. microemulsions having a viscosityof from 5 cps to 2000 cps, preferably of from 10 cps to 500 cps and morepreferably of from 20 cps to 200 cps when measured with Brookfieldspindle 3 at rate 50 rpm at 20° C.

Accordingly, the composition of the present invention can comprise up to20% by weight of the total composition, preferably from 0.1% to 10%,more preferably from 0.5% to 5% of alcohols having the above formula ormixtures thereof.

The compositions herein can further comprise a variety of otheroptionals, such as builders, chelants, radical scavengers, enzymes,brighteners, dyes, perfumes, and the like.

The compositions herein are suitable for a variety of applications,typically laundering of fabrics, especially in pretreatment operations,cleaning of carpets as well as hard surface and dishes.

The present invention will be further illustrated by the followingexamples.

EXAMPLES

The following compositions are made by mixing the listed ingredients inthe listed proportions.

The listed proportions are expressed as weight %, based on the totalcompositions.

    __________________________________________________________________________    Example 1 Example 2                    Example 3                         Example 4                              Example 5                                   Example 6                                         Example 7                                              Example 8                                                    Example                                                          Example    __________________________________________________________________________                                                          10    Bleach         6% H2O2              6% H2O2                    6% H2O2                         6% H2O2                              3% H2O2                                   4% H2O2                                         7% H2O2                                              6.0% H2O2                                                    4% H2O2                                                          4% H2O2    Bleach         3.5% ATC              3.5% ATC                    3.5% ATC                         3.5% ATC                              3.5% OCL                                   3.0% NVL                                         3.5% 3.0%  2% ATC                                                          2% ATC    activator                 (Octanoyl-                                   (Nonanoyl-                                         OCL +                                              Triacetin                              capro-                                   Valero-                                         3.5% ATC                              lactam)                                   Lactam)    Nonionic         6% Dob              12% Dob.                    12% Dob                         6% Dob.                              5% Dob.                                   5% Dob                                         9% Dob                                              6% Dob                                                    6% Neodol                                                          6% Neodol    surfactants         45-7 45-7  23-6.5                         45-7 91-10 +                                   91-8 +                                         45-7+                                              45-7  45-7 +                                                          45-7 +         6% Dob          6% Dob.                              2% Dob.               3.5% Neodol                                                          3.5%         23-6.5          23-6.5                              23-3                  23-3  Neodol 23-3    Anionic         12%  12%   12%  12%  --   10%   6% AES                                              6% AS 6%    6%    surfactants         C25AE3S              C25AE2.5S                    NaAS NaAS      HLAS             NaAS  C25AE2.5S    Amine-         1.5% 0.5%  1.5% 3%   --   1.0%  --   1%    3%    3%    oxide    Propane-         3%   3%    3%   5%   --   --    3%   3%    diol    Water &         to balance              to balance                    to balance                         to balance                              to balance                                   to balance                                         to balance                                              to balance                                                    to balance                                                          to balance    minors    __________________________________________________________________________

In the examples hereinabove, "Dob" stands for Dobanol®, a serie ofnonionic surfactants which is commercially available.

The compositions were evaluated for chemical stability and the followingresults were measured:

Hydrogen peroxide loss: less than 2% after 4 weeks at 40° C.

Viscosity (cps at 20° C.): 200-400 for examples 1 to 8 50-80 forexamples 9 to 10

Phase stability: no phase separation after 15 minutes centrifugation at6000 rpm

Bleach activator activity: 60-80% of the theoretical AvO (% activatorthat effectively reacts with hydrogen peroxide under washingconditions).

We claim:
 1. An aqueous composition comprising hydrogen peroxide or asource thereof, and a stabilizing amount of an alcohol according to theformula HO--CR'R"--OH, wherein R' and R'" are independently H or aC2-C10 hydrocarbon chain and/or cycle, or mixtures thereof.
 2. Acomposition according to claim 1 wherein said alcohol is propanediol.